EAGLE DAYS SET AT MINGO, DUCK DREEK

Hershel Price watched as a couple of bald eagles buzzed over the Mississippi River.

The eagles were keeping a close watch on some activity near a slackwater harbor at the marina parking lot in the Trail of Tears State Park area.

"They were watching for fish," said Price. superintendent of the park. "They're pretty good at it, too: I've watched them catch shads several times."

Price said eight or nine bald eagles are making their winter home in the park area this year.

"If a person brings along a pair of binoculars he can usually get a good view of an eagle," said Price.

Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois are prime wintering havens for bald eagles.

A number of bald eagles have gathered at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and Duck Creek Conservation Area in Wayne and Bollinger counties. People can see them during a special two-day Eagle Days program next month.

"Eagle Days," co-sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation, will be held at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center Feb. 4-5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hourly live-eagle programs featuring "Phoenix," an eagle from Springfield's Dickerson Park Zoo, will be held at the center.

Eagle viewing will be open both days at Duck Creek Conservation Area's Pool 1. Spotting scopes will be set up and staff will be available to help visitors see an eagle in the wild.

"Where the Eagle Soars," a new movie about the return of the bald eagle to Missouri, will premier during Eagle Days.

The entire event is free and no reservations are required.

Mingo Refuge, near Puxico, is one of the few places in Missouri where bald eagles have established nests and are reproducing.

"We know of one nest here," said a spokesman for the refuge. "There may be more."

As many as 20 eagles have been spotted around the refuge this winter.

Although telescopes will be provided, binoculars are suggested, along with warm clothing. Early morning provides the best chance of spotting eagles because they move back into the forest as more people arrive. Past Eagle Days have drawn 2,000 to 3,000 people to the refuge.

Additional information concerning Eagle Days is available by contacting the refuge at (314)-222-3589.

Eagle nests also have been established in Southern Illinois.

A number of adult and immature eagles have been spotted in the Union County Wildlife Refuge near Ware and the Horseshoe Lake Refuge at Olive Branch.

"We had a Christmas bird count in late December," said Rich Whitten, waterfowl biologist at Union County Refuge. "At that time counters spotted 27 bald eagles in Union County and 18 in the Horseshoe Lake area."

Nine adult birds were counted at each of the two sites; the rest were immature eagles.

Whitten said one golden eagle was spotted in Union County.